North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Doreen Howard" <gardendiva@charter.net>]

Title: Message

Raji Puri.  It grows 6-8 feet, is fairly cold-hardy (down to 15F) and fruits in 8 months.  It's the sweetest, best-tasting banana I've ever grown.  I don't grow them now, as I live on the Wisconsin-Illinois border, but I spent a decade on the Texas Gulf Coast (zone 9) where bananas dotted the landscape.  I've tried over a dozen varieties and like Raji Puri the best for taste.  Don't bother with Dwarf Cavendish.  The fruit is touted as the grocery store banana, but in reality, what you grow doesn't taste as good.  And, avoid the cold-hardy bananas, as they are very starchy--almost plantains.

 

BTW, don't cut off the banana top when you bring it indoors.  You want it to shut down gradually and drop its leaves if you are storing it in a dark area such as a basement.  Lay it on its side, if height is the issue.  Bananas are like celery.  They grow from the center.

 

Stokes Tropicals www.stokes.com  sells Raji Puri.

Doreen Howard